Seven Mayo harbours and piers get funding boost

A SUM of €367,500 is to be allocated to Mayo County Council for piers and harbours under its ownership.

Welcoming the news, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said this funding for piers and harbours in Mayo will allow for maintenance and repair works in addition to supporting the ongoing development and enhancement of harbour facilities including some marine leisure developments.

The specific projects include €112,500 for Killala Harbour for protection works for main aids, navigation and lighting, €112,500 for Ballina Harbour for reconstruction of the harbour deck, safety works and construction of a slipway at the northern end of harbour to facilitate access and €112,500 for Newport to facilitate repair works to the quay wall.

Other projects sanctioned include €7,500 each for piers and slipways in Achill including Kildavnet, Bullsmouth, Tonregee and Achill Sound to facilitate safety works at these slipways.

 “The funding can also be used for increasing participation in marine leisure, and augmenting measures to attract greater numbers of tourists. We know that tourism is crucial to the local economies of coastal communities and has been very important for job creation here in Mayo.

“My government is committed to supporting coastal communities in the west where people’s livelihoods are so dependent on the sea. This means investing in infrastructure,' he added.